THE Q U A R T E R LYFIRST QUARTER 2015

– continued on page 2

5431 SW 29th Street • Suite 300 • Topeka, KS 66614 • 785-272-4804 • Fax 785-272-4644 • www.topekacommunityfoundation.org

ROGER VIOLA

TCF President

One of the most gratifying aspects of my position at the Foundation is seeing young people benefit from our grantmaking program. Whether it be from donor advised funds or grants made through our grantmaking committees, it is apparent that our donors and committees place a strong emphasis in furthering educational and developmental opportunities to the youth in our community. Last year the Foundation granted nearly $1.5 million in the areas of Youth Development and Education. This constituted 36% of all of our grants. I know our entire community is pleased that as an organization, we are able to support our youth through our grantmaking process.

Prior to their deaths, John and Marcella Buchmeier, established an endowed field of interest fund with us. They left 10% of their estate for the purpose of supporting “youth related activities and scholarships in Shawnee County.” This was a marvelous gesture on two fronts. First, they left a portion of their estate to help kids,

Annual Luncheon Recognizes Grant RecipientsThe Women’s Fund recently hosted its annual luncheon to award $38,650 and recognize seven organizations for programs that meet their financial literacy or integration of the arts initiatives.

Organizations from throughout the community submitted grant proposals and after site visits and interviews with selected applicants, each member of The Women’s Fund was given an opportunity to vote on the grant applications.

Organizations receiving grants are:Boys and Girls Clubs of Topeka $ 7,200Friends of the Mulvane Art Museum 10,000Housing and Credit Counseling, Inc. 1,500Junior Achievement of Kansas 10,000Kansas Children’s Discovery Center 4,450Salvation Army of Topeka 3,000Topeka Civic Theatre and Academy 2,500

Before the luncheon, attendees interacted with last year’s grant recipients, who showcased how their grant dollars were used. More information about The Women’s Fund or how to become involved, can be found at www.womensfundtopeka.org.

In April, Foundation Vice President, Marsha Pope, was recognized as one of this year’s YWCA Women of Excellence Nominees at its annual Leadership Luncheon.

The luncheon honors women for their leadership in the workplace and the community. This year, 29 women were nominated for the honor.

“I nominated Marsha because of her consistently outstanding work at the Foundation”, said TCF President, Roger Viola. “Over the 12 years she has been here, Marsha has played an important role in the Foundation’s growth from $19 million in assets to more than $50 million today.  Her work with our local nonprofit organizations, the Women’s Fund, the TCF scholarship program, her implementation and direction of Topeka Gives, and her work with our donors, all uniquely qualify her for this recognition.”

YWCA Women of Excellence

Scholarship Winners

ROGER VIOLA

– continued from front page

MISSION

Connecting donors with their interests and community needs, increasing chari-table giving in our community, providing leadership on key community issues and ensuring stewardship and accountability for effective community investment of donor dollars.

INVEST NOW FOR A BETTER TOMORROW

notwithstanding that they had none of their own. Second, they were willing to leave a small portion of their estate to benefit in perpetuity our community. In that vein, it was very rewarding recently to see more than 68 students recognized at our annual scholarship reception and to award more than $100,000 in scholarship grants. The gratitude these students showed to their respective donors was evident when, from across a crowded room, with a wink or a slight wave of the hand, the students recognized for probably the very first time, a person (I call them philanthropists) who cared enough about others, to make this award possible. The opportunity to watch donors and recipients come together at the end of the evening, shake hands, visit and have their pictures taken together was priceless!

Whether your passion lies with kids, animals, health, education, social services or any other charitable field of interest, give us a call to see how you can efficiently and effectively further that passion.

I hope you enjoy the spring and summer.

All the Best,

In the next 40 years, our nation will experience an unprecedented transfer of wealth, as estates change hands from the Greatest Generation to the Baby Boomers, and then to their children and grandchildren. In Kansas, this transfer of wealth is estimated to be $79 billion by the year 2020. By

2064, this amount will increase to $598 billion! Now more than ever, we have an opportunity to strengthen our towns, cities, and counties.  For communities to survive — especially in rural areas — it is important for Kansans to reinvest resources back into the places where they earned their living and enjoyed a good life.

Keeping just 5% in our state through community foundations could mean up to  $4 billion  that would go back into our towns and cities by 2020. By giving back to your community through the Topeka Community Foundation, you are ensuring your hometown has what it needs to continue to be a great place to live for you, your family, your friends and neighbors, and future generations.

As a community foundation, we have in-depth knowledge of the specific needs and challenges facing our community. We offer a broad range of giving options, can accept a variety of assets — such as land, grain and other commodities, IRAs, insurance plans, securities and more — and offer significant tax advantages.

For more information, contact Foundation President Roger Viola at 785.272.4804.

The Topeka Community Foundation welcomes Veronica Diaz as our Communications Associate. She is a graduate of Washburn University with a degree in Public Relations and a certification in Nonprofit Management.

The Foundation also welcomes four new directors to the board:Pam Alexander, Community Volunteer; Leah Gabler-Marshall, Senior Residential Associate, Kirk & Cobb; Rick Jackson, Execu-tive Vice President & Chief Lending Officer,

Capitol Federal Savings; and Randy Peterson,President and Chief Executive Officer, Stormont- Vail HeathCare, have been elected to serve three-year terms.

They have been elected because they are community leaders who show a commit-ment to Topeka and the surrounding area. Collectively, our board members have the knowledge and experience needed to best provide leadership on key community issues and effectively invest donor dollars.

Topeka Community Foundation Welcomes New Employee and Directors

The Topeka Community Foundation hosted its annual scholarship reception on April 21, 2015 to celebrate scholarship recipients and recognize donors.

This year, 68 scholarship winners were honored at the reception and more than $100,000 was awarded in scholarship grants. The scholarships ranged in a variety of areas in which students excel, such as academics, community involvement, athletic participation and the arts

The scholarship reception is a time when donors, or the memories of their loved ones, are honored and their legacy continues to live throughout the community.

Scholarship Reception Honors Students and Donors

The Nikolaus Drake Richardson Memorial Scholarships were established by Dan and Kathy Richardson, in memory of their son, Nik. Here they are pictured with this year’s winners teacher Amanda Torbett (left) and student Alexandra Crome (right).

Bre’Anna Harvey (center) was one of five recipients of the Harriet Hayes Austin Memorial Scholarships for Nursing. Debbie and Mac Austin and their family created this scholarship to carry on Mac’s mother’s legacy of caring for others.

The Chief Master Sergeant Howard and Carol Steanson Scholarship for 190th Air Refuling Wing Members was created this year to support Airmen who are working toward getting their degree. James Braden (left) is pictured with Howard and Carol Steanson.

GREAT GRANTSWe are pleased to announce the following organizations are receiving grants through our Youth Development initiative:

Boys and Girls Club of Topeka: Math & STEM Exploration for Teen & Tween programs

Kansas Children’s Discovery Center: Little Scholars STEM Learning Initiative

Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey: AileyCampers Summer 2015

Topeka Youth Project: Spice of Life Entrepreneurship Program

Girls on the Run–YWCA Northeast Kansas: Middle School Heart & Sole Program

These programs will provide a positive impact by teaching useful skills and building the self-confidence of young people in Shawnee County ensuring capable, effective leaders for the next generation.

Connect with the Topeka Community Foundation by “liking” our page on Facebook and following us on Twitter. Be the first to learn about funding initiatives, see pictures of our grantees in action and keep up to date on the day-to-day happenings of the Foundation.

follow us on Twitter @Topekacflike us on Facebook

JAMES SCHMANKChairman, Asset Management Committee

Investment Portfolio News

For the first quarter of 2015, our benchmark of US and global stocks and bonds and our portfolio were both up 1.5%. The three month period was interesting and contained significant volatility. In January, stocks fell sharply as oil prices hit all-time lows. The falling oil prices had investors worried about reduced profits and job losses in the energy sector, as well as the impact on other industries supporting energy.

February saw stabilization in energy prices as well as good news from European markets and the overall markets strengthened. In addition, the US Federal Reserve signaled a continuation of low interest rates which bolstered US stocks. The S&P 500 hit an all-time high and the NASDAQ index, which tracks smaller companies and technology stocks briefly hit 5,000, the highest level recorded in15 years.

Sentiment changed in March, however, as disappointing economic news put a cloud over the markets. Slowdowns were noted in manufacturing and housing and difficult weather conditions curbed spending. The US dollar strengthened making American goods more expensive, slowing exports and business investing. As a result, much of the gains earned earlier in the quarter moderated.

While the quarter’s events are interesting, our Asset Management Committee keeps a long term view and believes the portfolio is well positioned to handle the changing conditions in today’s global markets. We are pleased with the manner in which the portfolio is performing and the managers we have selected to oversee our assets.

Topeka Gives will be Tuesday, June 2! This year, 132 organizations have enrolled to participate in this day of giving!

The Topeka Community Foundation has increased the matched money to $60,000. All gifts received will be match on a proportional basis.

(Since the amount to be contributed is unknown at this time, we cannot yet determine what the match percentage will be).

The event is scheduled for 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. inside the Fairlawn Plaza Mall and will feature a nonprofit “fair” in which participating organizations will have booths and provide information, hands-on activities, demonstrations and other fun activities throughout the day. Cash, check, and credit card donations will be accepted.

It promises to be a great day of charitable giving! We hope to see you there!

Topeka Community Foundation Board of Directors

Nancy Lewis – ChairShelly Buhler– Vice Chair

Pam AlexanderSteve BrimanDan CrowTara DimickLeah Gabler-MarshallRick JacksonCatherine McCoyChris McGee

Asset Management Committee

James Schmank – ChairKen AlexanderBarb BarnardSteve BrimanJames HainesJack Hamilton

Dr. Grace MorrisonBrad Owen Randy PetersonCheryl Rios James Schmank Doug SterbenzDr. Julie Swift

Rick Jackson Maynard OliveriusBrad OwenDoug Sterbenz Stephen Tempero, MD

Mark your calendar and save the date!